Linking Time-Use Data to Explore Health Outcomes: Choosing to Vaccinate Against Influenza

Ecohealth. 2018 Jun;15(2):290-301. doi: 10.1007/s10393-017-1296-z. Epub 2017 Nov 30.

Abstract

To inform public health and medical decision makers concerning vaccination interventions, a methodology for merging and analyzing detailed activity data and health outcomes is presented. The objective is to investigate relationships between individual's activity choices and their decision to receive an influenza vaccination. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) are used to predict vaccination rates in the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data between 2003 and 2013 by using combined socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The correlations between the extensive (do or not do) and intensive (how much) decisions to perform activities and influenza vaccination are further explored. Significant positive and negative correlations were found between several activities and vaccination. For some activities, the sign of the correlation flips when considering either the intensive or the extensive decision. This flip occurs with highly studied activities, like smoking. Correlations between activities and vaccination can provide an additional metric for targeting those least likely to vaccinate. The methodology outlined in this paper can be replicated to explore correlation among actions and other health outcomes.

Keywords: American Time Use Survey; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey; Influenza; Nontraditional vaccination campaigns; Public health; Vaccination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
  • Choice Behavior
  • Data Collection / methods
  • Decision Making*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Public Health
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Time Factors
  • United States
  • Vaccination Coverage / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines